Sexual Harassment

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What is sexual harassment?

Denies or limits your ability as a student or employee to participate in or benefit from Everett Community College's education program or a safe workplace environment

Sexual harassment can take different forms. The conduct can be carried out by college employees, students, or visitors. Males and females can be victims of sexual harassment. The harasser and the victim can be of the same gender. Sexual harassment also includes conduct that is criminal in nature, such as rape, sexual assault, dating violence, and sexually motivated stalking. The conduct can occur in any college program, event, or activity, on and off campus. The conduct can be physical, verbal, or non-verbal. When unwelcome sexual conduct is serious enough or pervasive enough, it becomes sexual harassment.

What are some examples of sexual conduct?

Pressure for dates

Persistent and unwelcome flirtation of a sexual nature

Sexual phone calls, voice messages or emails

Leering, ogling, or staring

Pressuring persons for sexual favors

Touching of a sexual nature

Writing graffiti of a sexual nature

Displaying or distributing sexually explicit drawings, pictures or written materials

Touching oneself sexually in front of others

Telling sexual or dirty jokes

Spreading sexual rumors

Requests for sex in exchange for higher grades or favorable employment decisions

Rating persons as to sexual activity or performance

Circulating or showing websites of a sexual nature

Are gay, lesbian and transgender students protected from sexual harassment?

Yes. The federal regulation (Title IX) prohibits harassing conduct of a sexual nature regardless of whether the harassment is aimed at gay, lesbian or transgender students. Sexual harassment can be done by individuals of the same or opposite gender.

How can I take action?

Don't ignore it. Pay attention to cues, comments, instincts, and experiences. Address unwanted contact immediately.Say no. Tell the person that the conduct is unwanted. Tell them to stop.Tell someone. If you are a student, tell the Vice President of Administrative Services, the Director of Student Services, a teacher, a counselor, or any college administrator.

If you are an employee, tell your supervisor, a dean, a union representative, a college administrator, or the Vice President of Administrative Services. Information about sexual assault and relationship violence is available in student activities, the counseling and career center, and the human resources office.

Which college official is designated to coordinate compliance with the federal laws concerning sexual harassment?

The Chief Diversity & Equity Officer has ultimate oversight for the College's compliance with Title IX, the federal regulation that prohibits sexual harassment. This office handles complaints from employees and students, and is located in Olympus Hall room OLY-207. The phone number is (425) 388-9271, and the email address is titleixcoordinator@everettcc.edu.

Who should report?

Report if you:

Are the victim

Witnessed someone being a victim, or

Are aware of information that someone is or might be a victim

Where can I get help as a victim?

Students may receive professional, confidential no-cost crisis counseling services the Counseling, Advising & Career Center in Parks Student Union, third floor. The phone number is (425) 388-9263.

Employees may receive professional, confidential, and no-cost crisis counseling from the Washington State Employee Assistance Program. The phone number is (360) 753-3260.

Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County provides advocacy based counseling for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. The phone number is (425) 252-2873.

Does the College have an official grievance procedure?

Yes. The College has an official grievance procedure. It covers informal and formal complaints. It is part of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), entitled, "Illegal Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures," and is numbered WAC 132E-120-385. It is available on the Washington State Legislature page.

How does the College respond to a complaint?

The College takes any complaint about sexual harassment or sexual assault very seriously. The College follows all of the guidelines published by the U.S. Department of Education and Office of Civil Rights (OCR). The College will investigate the complaint in a prompt, reliable, adequate, and impartial manner. The purpose of the investigation is to determine whether sexual harassment or violence occurred. The College respects the rights of both the complainant and the person or persons addressed in the complaint. Depending on the facts of the individual situation, the College may proceed with actions consistent with its due process procedures, OCR guidance, personnel policies, collective bargaining agreements and student Rights and Responsibilities Code. While an investigation is under way and/ or part of its resolution, the College may take steps to prevent the person(s) addressed in the complaint from contact with the complainant. If the behavior may be criminal, you have the right to file a criminal complaint. This will not delay the College in doing its own work to resolve the complaint promptly and equitably.

What about retaliation?

The College prohibits any form of retaliation against a complainant. Any allegations of retaliation will result in an immediate investigation and appropriate action consistent with the College's due process procedures.

What are some examples of retaliation?

Retaliation is any adverse action taken because you complained or a person thinks you complained. These are examples:

Lowering your grade

Poor performance rating

Changing work duties or assignments

Exclusion from meetings

Not being called on in class

Change of work schedule

Being threatened

Suppose drugs or alcohol are involved?

Sometimes people are afraid to complain about sexual harassment or violence because drugs or alcohol are involved. The College's highest priority is the safety of everyone on campus. Any other rule violations will be handled separately from the sexual harassment complaint. The use of alcohol or drugs never makes the victim at fault for sexual violence.

Everett Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or age.